Modular tracked vehicle

Abstract

A technique for a modular tracked vehicle that can be reconfigured as needed to address different requirements and use cases. The modular tracked vehicle includes a chassis hull that allows interchangeable components to be connected thereto. The interchangeable components include interchangeable final drives which drive the vehicle's tracks. The chassis hull stores an energy reservoir, such as a battery or fuel tank, and the final drives include at least a gear box and drive axle. Different final drives may be provided for different torque levels, speed levels, energy sources, and or other specifications, and the final drives may be swapped based on mission requirements. Other components of the modular tracked vehicle may be interchangeable, as well. The technique may be provided, for example, as a modular tracked vehicle, a platform for a modular tracked vehicle, and/or as a method for use with a modular tracked vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of providing a modular tracked vehicle, comprising:
 providing a chassis hull having a first end, a second end, a left side, a right side, and a top surface, the chassis hull configured to contain an energy reservoir; 
 attaching a first final drive end-to-end to the first end of the chassis hull outside of the chassis hull, the first final drive including an enclosure that at least partially contains a gear box and at least one drive axle configured to drive first and second drive sprockets for propelling the modular tracked vehicle, the first final drive being a module configured for high-torque operation, 
 replacing the first final drive with a second final drive having different components from those of the first final drive, the second final drive being a module configured for high-speed operation. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first final drive has a rear surface that abuts the first end of the chassis hull when the first final drive is attached to the chassis hull, the rear surface of the first final drive having a set of apertures through which first power and control lines are passed for applying power and control to the first final drive, and wherein replacing the first final drive with the second final drive includes:
 detaching the first power and control lines passed through the set of apertures of the first final drive; and 
 passing second power and control lines through a set of apertures in the second final drive for applying power and control to the second final drive, the second power and control lines differing at least in part from the first power and control lines. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the chassis hull is attached to a first nose piece that sits flush with the second end of the chassis hull and provides an appearance of being integral with the chassis hull, and wherein the method further comprises replacing the first nose piece with a second nose piece that sits flush with the second end of the chassis hull and provides the appearance of being integral with the chassis hull. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising communicating between a computing device disposed within the chassis hull and the first nose piece to control a function of the first nose piece, said communicating conducted over a communication channel that extends between the chassis hull and the first nose piece. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the top surface of the chassis hull is attached to a first top-mount assembly, and wherein the method further comprises replacing the first top-mount assembly with a second top-mount assembly having different characteristics from those of the first top-mount assembly. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising communicating between a computing device disposed within the chassis hull and the first top-mount assembly to control a function of the first top-mount assembly, said communicating conducted over a communication channel that extends between the chassis hull and the first top-mount assembly. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the left and right sides of the chassis hull are coupled to respective suspension carriers having first components, and wherein the method further comprises replacing the suspension carriers having the first components with suspension carriers having second components that differ from the first components. 
     
     
       8. A method of providing a modular tracked vehicle, comprising:
 providing a chassis hull having a first end, a second end, a left side, a right side, and a top surface, the chassis hull configured to contain a set of batteries; 
 attaching a first final drive end-to-end to the first end of the chassis hull outside of the chassis hull, the first final drive including an enclosure that at least partially contains an electric motor, a gear box, and at least one drive axle configured to drive first and second drive sprockets for propelling the modular tracked vehicle, the first final drive being a module configured for high-torque operation, 
 replacing the first final drive with a second final drive having different components from those of the first final drive, the second final drive being a module configured for high-speed operation. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein replacing the first final drive with the second final drive includes:
 disconnecting electrical cabling between the set of batteries in the chassis hull and the electric motor of the first drive; and 
 connecting the electrical cabling between the set of batteries in the chassis hull and an electric motor of the second drive. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first final drive has a rear surface that abuts the first end of the chassis hull when the first final drive is attached to the chassis hull, the rear surface of the first final drive having a set of apertures through which first power and control lines are passed for applying power and control to the first final drive, and wherein replacing the first final drive with the second final drive includes:
 detaching the first power and control lines passed through the set of apertures of the first final drive; and 
 passing second power and control lines through a set of apertures in the second final drive for applying power and control to the second final drive, the second power and control lines differing at least in part from the first power and control lines. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second end of the chassis hull is attached to a first nose piece that sits flush with the second end of the chassis hull and provides an appearance of being integral with the chassis hull, and wherein the method further comprises replacing the first nose piece with a second nose piece that sits flush with the second end of the chassis hull and provides the appearance of being integral with the chassis hull. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising communicating between a computing device disposed within the chassis hull and the first nose piece to control a function of the first nose piece, said communicating conducted over a communication channel that extends between the chassis hull and the first nose piece. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein replacing the first nose piece with a second nose piece includes replacing the first nose piece with any of:
 an IED (improvised explosive device) defeat roller; 
 a marsupial UGV (unmanned ground vehicle) ramp; 
 a ground-penetrating radar; and 
 a mine plow. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the top surface of the chassis hull is attached to a first top-mount assembly, and wherein the method further comprises replacing the first top-mount assembly with a second top-mount assembly having different characteristics from those of the first top-mount assembly. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising communicating between a computing device disposed within the chassis hull and the first top-mount assembly to control a function of the first top-mount assembly, said communicating conducted over a communication channel that extends between the chassis hull and the first top-mount assembly. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein replacing the first top-mount assembly with a second top-mount assembly includes replacing the first top-mount assembly with any of:
 a MICLIC (Mine Clearing Line Charge); 
 an anti-aircraft gun; 
 a remote controlled weapon station; 
 a vertically-extendable camera system; 
 a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) platform; and 
 a scissor lift. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the left and right sides of the chassis hull are coupled to respective suspension carriers having first components, and wherein the method further comprises replacing the suspension carriers having the first components with suspension carriers having second components that differ from the first components. 
     
     
       18. A method of providing a modular tracked vehicle, comprising:
 providing a chassis hull having a first end, a second end, a left side, a right side, and a top surface, the chassis hull configured to contain a liquid fuel tank and a liquid-fuel engine; 
 attaching a first final drive end-to-end to the first end of the chassis hull outside of the chassis hull, the first final drive including an enclosure that at least partially contains a gear box and at least one drive axle configured to drive first and second drive sprockets for propelling the modular tracked vehicle, the first final drive being a module configured for high-torque operation, 
 replacing the first final drive with a second final drive having different components from those of the first final drive, the second final drive being a module configured for high-speed operation. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first final drive has a rear surface that abuts the first end of the chassis hull when the first final drive is attached to the chassis hull, the rear surface of the first final drive having a set of apertures through which first power and control lines are passed for applying power and control to the first final drive, and wherein replacing the first final drive with the second final drive includes:
 detaching the first power and control lines passed through the set of apertures of the first final drive; and 
 passing second power and control lines through a set of apertures in the second final drive for applying power and control to the second final drive, the second power and control lines differing at least in part from the first power and control lines. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the left and right sides of the chassis hull are coupled to respective suspension carriers having first components, and wherein the method further comprises replacing the suspension carriers having the first components with suspension carriers having second components that differ from the first components.